Push-button switch



rusa BUTTON swITH y Patented Feb. 4, 1947 PUSH-BUTTON swrrcn William C. Linton, Washington, D. C., assignor to Fuse Indicator' Corporation, Rockville, Md., a corporation of Delaware Application October 10, 1944, Serial No. 558,056

Claims. l The present invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly to wall switches for use in ordinary lighting systems of rooms and buildings, having amongst its principal desiderata `the provision of a wall switch which will visibly designate the open position of the circuit closer whereby one may more readily find the switch when located in dark or secluded places.

Another equally important desideratum of the invention is to provide a switch in which the eX- ternal appearance thereof will be more ornamental and pleasing to the observer than that of ordinary wall switches, in that the cover plate thereof may be of various colors or combination of colors; the unsightly fastening elements for the cover plate are hidden from View and asingle push-button is employed which, due to its design and color will, when used in combination with the cover plate, blend with its color and harmonize therewith.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a circuit `closer for controlling the flow of current in electrical lighting systems which is of a compact design, improved construction and arrangement whereby it may be placed within the conventional cutout box and connected to the wiring extending therein, and for a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the accompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the switch 'and'its cover plate embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the cover plate illustrating the switch casing and push-button thereof in side elevation and the switch being supported within a cutout box, which latter is illustrated in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the cover plate showing the switch casing in end elevation.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section through the switch when employing a liquid contact circuit closer and the cover plate thereof. 'Y

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the supporting bar and switch with the cover plate, lamp and lens of the push-button removed.

Fig. 6 is a vertical vlongitudinal section through the switch casing and cover plate therefor showing the normal position of the push-button.

Fig. 7 is a similar View showing the position of the push-button when being fully actuated or moved inwardly for transmitting movement of the circuit closer.

Fig. 8 is a detail section on the line 8--8 of Fig. 6 showin-g the circuit closer in elevation.

Fig. 9 is a detail side elevation of the bracket for the circuit closer,

Fig. i0 is a vertical longitudinal section through the switch when employing a lsnap circuit closer.

vFig. il is a horizontal section taken on the line I i-H of Fig. 10 in the direction of the arrow points, and

Fig. l2 is a vertical transverse section of the Sllle.

Referring now `more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the wall switch embodying the present invention comprises Va cover plate I having a circular opening A2 iormedtherein and projecting within this opening are `a pair of apertured lugs through which extend the attaching screws This cover plate is preferably of the conventional rectangular configuration so as to fit closely ad-jacent the wall and completely cover the switch and cutout box 5 installed therein. The cover plate `is preferably molded from a `plastic material, y The material used may be opaque and of various colors or combination .of colors or it may be transparent with acolored background which is visible .from the exterior face of the cover plate.

The attaching screws 4 of the cover plate extend -within threaded openings formed within the ears or projections .6, which latter form a part of the supporting bar l. The opposite ends of this supporting bar l may be connected in the usual manner .to the outoutibox 5.by meansof the screws 8 in order that the switch and its cover plate may be Vattached thereto and supported thereupon. This supporting bar has an enlarged -medial portion .S .in which is formed a circular opening ,it of a diameter `equal to that of the opening 2 .formed within the cover plate, whereby the projections 6 will register with the projections S of the cover plate. .The extremities II of the medial portion 9 of this bar are ybent .downwardly so as to extend over the opposite `side .faces of the switch housing or casing .12.

The casing l2 has formed withits 4opposite ends apertured projections 113 through which `extend the screws JM, which'latter engage the threaded openings l 5 of the supporting bar l, whereby the casing 'i2 may be attached to the supporting bar and suspended therefrom within the cutout iboX 5. This casing `I`2 'has .a `compartment formed therein, the upper end of which is opened and the medial enlarged portion ,9 of the Abar 'l extends completely across `the .opened upper end .of the casing. Communicating with the lower Vend of the compartment formed within the casing is a well formed by means of the bulged portion I6 and the bottom of the casing extends as at Il and il from the opposite ends of the wall to form stops for a purpose which will be later described. Also formed with the opposite ends of the casing are the,lugs or projections i8 and upon each of which is seated the outer end of a contact member IQ. Each contact member is provided with a terminal screw 2B for clamping thereto the usual conductors of the wiring system extending within vthe cutout box 5. These contacts I9 extend through openings in the end walls of the casing l2 and their lower edges rest upon the ledges 2i formed with the casing and extending along each side of the well formed in the bottom thereof.

The inner extremities of each contact i9 are provided with spherical projections which iit into complementary depressions 22 in each of the terminals of the liquid contact circuit closer 23.

This liquid contact circuit closer or button 23 is of a conventional design and better illustrated and described in Patent No. 2,101,092, issued December 7, 1937. This circuit closing button is supported within the casing by means of the contact terminals I9 in order that its lower portion may oscillate within the well formed within the bottom of the casing. This mercury circuit closing button, when in the position as Shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, interrupts the electrical circuit in which the terminals I9 are included but when moved to the position as shown in Fig. '7 of the drawings, the circuit is closed whereby the current may now therethrough.

In order to actuate this circuit closer to its open or closed position, a connection is employed between the push-button 2d and circuit closer whereby when the push-button is depressed or pushed inwardly within its cover plate, the button 23 may be oscillated in opposite directions. Secured to this circuit closing button 23 is a sec-- tional bracket 2e, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings. Each section of this bracket has an enlarged central portion 2% which ts over the terminals of the circuit closer 23 and has a knob projecting therefrom which is seated within a corresponding recess 2l formed within the terminals, whereby when the bracket is oscillated, the button 23 will be caused to move therewith. The upper and lower` ends'of the sections of this bracket are connected together by means of the pins 23 and extending diametrically opposite from each section of the bracket are the arms 2d.

The push-button comprises a plunger Sii which is of a cylindrical design capable of passing through the opening Iii of the supporting bar 'l and opening 2 of the cover plate as it is provided with the vertically extending grooves l2 which accommodate the lugs 3 and the projections 6 of the cover plate and supporting bar respectively. Extending with the lower end of the plunger is an annular flange 3i which, when the plunger is inserted through the openings from the lower faces of the supporting bar and cover plate, and abut against the lower face of the enlarged portion 9 of the supporting bar to limit the outward movement of the push-button.y Formed within the lower end of the this plunger 3i! is a recess 32 and extending therethrough is a pivot pin 33. Pivotally connected to this pin 33 is an inverted U- shaped actuator Sli and each arm of this actuator is provided with a shoulder or projection 31 which latter are adapted to engage the outer ends of the arms 29 of the bracket connected to 4 the button circuit closer. Connected to the uppermost pin 23 of this bracket is a coil spring 36 and the opposite or upper end of this coil spring is seated within a recess formed by means of a knob projection extending from the lower face of the actuator 3d below its pivot connection. This spring normally tends to elevate the actuator 3&3 and the push-button 2li in 'the position as better shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings and when in this latter position, pressure is also exerted upon the circuit closer 23, whereby it will be caused to assume the position as shown and stopped when an arm 29 contacts with a shoulder i l formed with the casing i2.

The circuit closer, when in the position as shown in Fig. of the drawings, is such as to cause the electrical circuit connected thereto to be opened but when it is desired to close the electric circuit by means of this circuit breaker, .the operator will, by applying pressure to the pushbutton 2li, force the same inwardly until it assumes the position as is illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. As the push-button 2d is being forced inwardly, the right hand shoulders 35 of the actuator will first engage the uppermostend 29 of the bracket which is attached to the circuit closer '23, and force this arm 29 downwardly until it abuts against the stop il'whcreby the circuit closer 23 will be rotated in a clockwise direction and the electrical circuit toY which it is included closed. At the same time, the coil spring 35 is compressed and its lower end moves with the bracket 25 until it assumes the position as is shown in Fig. '7 of the drawings. As pressure is released from the push-button 2li, it will be moved outwardly by means of the coil spring 36 until the flange 3l abuts against the lower face of the enlarged portion 9 of the crossbar. This compressed coil ,spring 36 wil also retain the bracket 25 in the position as shown in Fig. 7 as the pivot point 28 is positioned off-,centre from a line extending through the pivot, points 33 and 22. However, the actuator 34 which is attached to `the push button wil1 also again be elevated at the position as shown in Fig. 6 whereat the left hand shoulder 35 thereof will be positioned immediately above the elevated arm 29 of the bracket 25 as is shown in Fig. 7. The actuator Awill now be in a position whereupon with again applying pressure to thepush-button 2li, the circuit breaker 23 will be moved in an anti-clockwise direction until it again assumes the position as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, and the circuit opened. From this arrangement, it is obvious that an oscillating movement may be transmitted to the circuit breaker for opening and closing the electric circuit to which it is included and this oscillating movement is transmitted direct by a single reciprocating push-button.

Whereas, in the foregoing I have described a liquid circuit closer 23, any other type of circuit maker or breaker maybe employed or that type as is shown in Figs. 10 to l2 of the drawings, in which the casing 46 is attached 'to and suspended from the'bar l by means of the attachingscrews di, which latter extend through the apertured bosses d2 formed with the casing.

Seated within .the casing are a pair of conductor plates 63 each having at its outer end a flange into 'which is threaded a terminal screw :til for clamping a wire conductor to each plate. Secured to each plate is a spring contact 45 which is at .times engaged by a circuit closer 46, which latter is preferably made of metal and a good conductor of electricity, whereby when the circuit closer engages the contacts c5, the electrical circuit in which they are included will be closed, but when the circuit closer is out oi engagement with the spring contacts llt, the electrical circuit will be opened. Formed with and projecting from the bottom of the casing it are a pair of spaced standards ill, each having a recess formed in the upper extremity thereof for rotatably supporting the circuit closing support, which latter consists or a cylindrical bar 5d having its opposite ends positioned within the recesses of the standards and depending from this bar is an arm 5i, to the lower end of which the circuit closer it is attached. This bar 5t has formed therewith and extending in diamerically opposite directions the arms 52 and d3. rlhe arms 52 `and 53, together with the bar forni a pair of openings til through which extend the lower ends of the actuator Also formed with this bar 59 is a slotted boss e5 through which extends the lower end of an operator blade 55 and the opposite end or this blade 5S is adapted to travel within a recess lll iormed within the actuator 3ft. A. coil spring 53 extends between the en= larged portion of the blade 5t and the boss 55, which spring 5E serves the purpose of holding the push-button in an elevated position in the sarne manner as the spring 3% shown in the preferred form of the invention. The operator blade 56 serves the purpose or throwing the actuator lill in an opposite direction to which the bar 5t is oscillated, in order that a shoulder l of the actuator will be moved to a position whereat it may be caused to engage the outer extremity ot either one of the arms 52 or When the circuit closer is in the position as shown Fig. of the drawings, the coil spring 5t will retain the bar it out of contact with the spring contacts whereatv the electrical circuit will be opened and remain opened.

When it is desired to close the switch, the operator, by forcing the push-button within the switch casing, will cause one of the `slloulders of the actuator to engage the uppermost end 52 of the circuit closer supporting trarne, whereby this end t2 will be forced downwardly until it engages the stop lill. The circuit closing bar it will also be moved into engagement with the spring contacts d5. At the same time, `the coil spring 5B will be compressed and the operator blade 56 will be moved within the slot 5l to a position opposite that shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. When pressure isV relieved from the pushbutton v124i, the coil spring together with the blade will shift the actuator 3d so that the shoulder d at the righthand side of the actuator, as shown in Fig. i9, will be in a position to engage the end 53 or tl; arm or ythe circuit closer supporting traine. To again open the electrical circuit, pressure rnust be applied to the push-button 2li whereupon .the arm i3 will again be moved downwardly until it contacts with the stop te. At this time, the circuit closer'fiii is moved out of engagement with the spring contacts i5 and the electrical circuit again opened. When the pressure is relieved from the push-button 2t, the blade 56 will return to the position as shown in Fig. l() of the drawings and the actuator 3d shifted until it assumes the position as shown, whereat, one of the shoulders 35 thereof will be in line with the arm 52. From the foregoing, it is obvious that the actuator Sit is shifted from side to side by means of the coil spring and blade 5E, whereby one of its shoulders will be moved out of engagement with one of the arms of the circuit Cil closer supporting frame and the opposite shoulder 35 moved to a position whereat it can be moved into contact with .the opposite arm `of the circuit closer supporting frame.

Formed within the upper face of `the plunger 3d is a recess t! having arranged therein a neon glow lamp 62, one lead wire 13 which extends down through an opening te formed in the plunger "it and is connected to one or the terminals iii or of the switch, whereas, the opposite lea-d wire d5 of the lamp E2 is seated within a recess t3 formed within the plunger Sii. Another lead wire @l is connected to the opposite terminal i9 or it of the switch and extends up through an opening t3 formed within the plunger block 3d and is connected to the lead wire 55 of the lainp `extending within the recess Gt by means of a leal; resistor te to be arranged within this recess. The lead wires 53 and di each have a coil formed therewith to allow for the movement of the plunger The neon lamp leak resistor are connected in series with the terminals ill or lll of the switch but in parallel thereto, whereby, when the switch is open, the current may be permitted to dow through the larnp for causing the saine to glow but when the switch is in closed position, the current willflow through the same and thereby cause the lamp to be extinguished.

ln order to cover the lamp and the upper end of the plunger 33, a lens is provided. which is preferably molded from a transparent or translucent material having a top portion @il and a pair or flanges or depending side walls lil which extend over the upper reduced end oi' the plunger having a snap engagement with the plunger for locking the lens thereto. The two opposite spaces ll arranged between the flanges Til reg- 'ster with grooves l2 arranged `within the side walls o the plunger whereby, the openings formed will `permit the push-button and lens attached thereto to be force-d inwardly when prescure is thereto and the boss 3 ifornied *"'i the coverplate, as weil as the bosses t formed h the supporting har may travel therein. Ireni this construction and arrangement of parts, it is obvious that the outer circular face of the lens completely covers the plui'iger as well as the attaching screws ll, which connect the cover plate to the supporting har in order that one viewing the cover plate and switch will only see the cover plate and the lens oi the push-button, thereby hiding from view the unsightly connecting screws Il or other fastening means that may be used. in connecting the cover plate to its support.

The lens or the pushbutton in addition to vsing transparent or translucent in order that the rays of light 'from the lamp @il may emit therefrom, can be molded from plastic materials of various colors or colors which would correspond to or harmonize with the cover plate' I, order that the complete switch, when placed in the wall of a room, mayV harmonize or blend with the color scheme of furnishings of such room, thereby making an attractive ornament which is not unsightly as is true of the conventional wall switches and cover plates therefor in addition, will have a glow of light which will enable one to readily detect the same in a dark room, whereupon, by pressing the push button 2d, the circuit closer will be actuated for closing the electrical circuit and thereby extinguish the lamp 52. When it is desired to turn @il the lights included within the electrical circuit, the operator may again press the pushbutton 2Q wherein the electrical circuit will be broken and the lamp 62 again caused to glow.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that a single push-button can be used with my type of switch for opening and closing an electrical circuit and in addition thereto, will have means for illuminating the same, as well as having an ornamental and attractive appearance.

Manifest-ly, the construction herein shown is capable of considerable modification and such modifications as come within the scope oi my claims, I consider within the spirit oi my invention.

I claim:

l. An electrical wall switch comprising in com.- bination a supporting bar, a receptacle having a switch arranged therein, an enlarged medial section formed with said bar, extending over and connected to said receptacle, a cover plate, said cover plate and enlarged section of said supporting bar having aiigning openings therein, aligning lugs formed with and extending within the openings of said cover plate and supporting bar, fastening elements extending through said lugs for attaching said cover plate to said supporting bar, a button extending through said align ing openings oi said cuver plate and supporting bai. movablev into position dening the opened and closed position of switch within said receptacle, push button having vertically extending grooves therein for receiving said lugs, a lens secured to push button and said lens at all times extending over said fastening elements.

2. An electric wall switch comprising in combination a Supporting bar, a switch mechanism attached thereto, a cover plate extending over said switch mechanism, a push button movable through said cover plate and having one end connected to said switch ,'mechanism, a pair of aligning lugs formed with said supporting bar and cover plate, screws removable from the outer face of said cover plate and extending through said lugs for detachably connecting said cover plate to said supporting bar, means carried by said push button extending over said lugs and screws when the latter connects said cover plate to said supporting bar and means whereby said cover plate may be removed from said supporting bar without removing said push button.

3. An electric switch comprising in combination a supporting bar, an enlarged medial portion formed with said bar and having an opening formed therein, a casing having a switch mechahism mounted therein, means for connecting said casing to said enlarged medial portion of the supporting bar, a removable cover plate extending over said casing and having an opening therein aligning with that of said supporting bars a push button extending through said openings and having one end connected to said switch mechanism, an indicator for defining the opened and closed positions of Said switch mechanism 4. An illuminated wall switch comprising inl combination a supporting bar, a casing having a switch mechanism arranged therein connected to said bar, a cover plate detachably connected to `said supporting bar and extending over said casing, a push button movable through said cover plate and connectedto the switch mechanism a'rranged within said casing, fastening elements removable from the outer face of said cover plate for detachably connecting the latter to said sup'- porting bar, the opposed walls oi said push button having vertically extending grooves formed therein for receiving said fastening elements, said push button having a recess therein, a lamp positioned within said recess and a lens, detachably connected to said push button and extending over said lamp, grooves and recess formed therein.

5. An electrical wall switch comprising in combination a receptacle having a switch mechanism arranged therein.y a removable cover plate extending over the switch'mechanism within said receptacle, a single switch button movable through said plate and into positions dening the opened and closed positions of said switch mechanism, screws lfor connecting said cover plate to said receptacle and being removable from the outer face of said plate, covering means extending over said screws without contacting said plate and means for connecting said covering means to said switch button-,whereby the latter may be moved through said plate without uncovering said screws. f

WILLAM C. LIN'ION.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi record in the iile or this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS German Oct. l5, i923 

